Fastening article and method of use and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

A colored fastener and method of use and manufacture thereof, wherein the fastener is manufactured to comprise the same coloration as an article of apparel for securing same, and wherein the fastener receives its coloration from a coating applied by one or more coating methods in order to render the fastener virtually invisible when in use. The fastener further provides a method for repair or attachment of accessories to clothing, wherein the fastener securing and/or repairing the accessory is invisible to the causal observer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to devices for securing and/or repairing articles of apparel, such as, clothing and/or accessories, and/or for attaching accessories to clothing, and more specifically to a fastening article and method of use and manufacture thereof, wherein the present invention provides colored fasteners for securing and/or repairing clothing and/or accessories rendering the fasteners virtually invisible, and further provides a method of coloring the fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often necessary to securely repair clothing or to augment the security of existing apparel closures. Such a necessity can occur when clothing stitching loosens or tears, such as when a hem comes loose or a seam rips. Additionally, existing clothing buttons, zippers, or the like may become loose or fall off, forcing the wearer to obtain a replacement fastener to secure the clothing and avoid potential embarrassment. Furthermore, apparel accessories such as handbags may suffer from damage. In such an event, a suitable fastener may be required to repair a broken handle or the like. In so doing, the device chosen to secure and/or repair the clothing and/or accessory should blend in with the article of apparel, so as not to distract from the pleasing appearance of the clothing and/or accessory. Safety pins are occasionally selected by a user to secure articles of clothing and/or accessories in the fashion desired by the user. However, existing safety pins are bright, shiny objects that are readily seen by an observer, thereby distracting from the overall pleasant appearance of an accessory and/or article of clothing secured thereby. Accordingly, a method of color coating safety pins, and a method of utilizing such colored safety pins would be desirable for concealment of the safety pin to avoid distraction from the overall appearance of the user's clothing.

Current et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,791) discloses a dual-colored sewing machine needle, wherein a dye which leaves no discernible surface coating is applied to the needle shank to preferably denote needle type. Further, a narrow band of pigmented material is applied as a surface coating over the dye colored surface at the juncture of the needle shank and blade to preferably denote needle size. However, the device of Current et al. '791 does not teach a colored safety pin or a method of utilizing such a colored fastener to blend in with colored material.

Walker (U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,181) discloses a coated paper clip for increasing the adhesion between the paper clip and the paper to which it is clipped. The method of applying the coating includes clipping the paper clip over a side edge of a conveyor belt. Next the clip is sprayed or rolled to form the coating on the outer exposed surface of one of the gripping elements so that the coated surface can be subsequently utilized as the paper-contacting surface. However, the Walker '181 method and apparatus does not teach a colored safety pin or a method of utilizing such a colored fastener to blend in with colored fabric material.

Bernier et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,547) discloses a method of producing a dyeable coating on a metal article, such as a slide fastener, wherein the metal article is coated with a powdered solid polymer resin containing active proton acceptor groups, such as amine groups. The powder coating is heated to convert the powder coating into a polymer film which is capable of being dyed by any of a wide variety of dyes to produce a desired color in the polymer film. However, the method of producing a dyeable coating Bernier et al. '547 does not teach utilization of a coated fastener to secure or repair garments, but instead, teaches coating metal articles, such as slide fasteners, for the purpose of providing a surface which is capable of subsequently receiving a dye coloration thereon.

None of the above-referenced patents provides a method or a device for securing or repairing articles of apparel in a fashion that provides for concealment of the attachment device by matching the device's coloration with that of the article of apparel to be secured.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for fastening article for securing and/or repairing clothing and/or accessories, wherein the fastening article is rendered virtually invisible to the casual observer in order to facilitate blending of the fastening article with the color of the clothing or accessory.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a fastening article and method of use and manufacture thereof, wherein the fastening article may be utilized for securing and/or repairing clothing and/or accessories, and wherein the fastening article appended to the clothing or accessory is invisible to the casual observer.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a fastener in the form of a colored safety pin, wherein the fastener has the same coloration as clothing or accessories requiring repair or otherwise improved security. The fastener receives its coloration from a coating applied by one or more coating methods.

More specifically, the present invention is a fastener to which a colored coating has been applied so that the fastener matches the color of the wearer's clothing or of an accessory carried by the clothing wearer. The coating coloration functions to blend the fastener into the color and appearance of the accessory and/or the clothing. The coating is applied by a method, such as, for exemplary purposes only, application of enamel followed by baking. The coating may also be applied via electroplating, by oxidizing, such as by anodization, by dipping the fastener into liquid colored plastic solutions or spraying the fastener with such solutions, or by application and curing of a powdered coating to the fastener. It is further contemplated that the entire fastener could be made from colored plastic, wherein the coating and the fastener are integrally formed.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to blend into the coloration of clothing or accessories for securing and/or repairing same.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to invisibly secure an accessory to clothing.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be manufactured in any selected color.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be coated using different coating processes.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be integrally formed from a single material, such as plastic.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that it can be adapted to different types of fasteners.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a fastening article according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 1B is a detailed breakaway view of a portion of FIG. 1A according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top cross-sectional view of a fastening article according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a fastening article according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken along section line A-A of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2B, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2B, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is securing device or fastening article 10, method of use thereof, and method of manufacture thereof, wherein fastening article 10 is preferably in the form of a safety pin; however, other fastening or securing devices are contemplated, such as, for exemplary purposes only, clips, clasps or other pin devices. Fastening article 10 preferably comprises coloration 20 disposed thereon, wherein coloration 20 is preferably selected to match or blend with color 35 of clothing 100 and/or accessory 200. Fastening article 10 preferably comprises body 50, head 60, first end 52, second end 54, pivot 70, spike 120 and arm 130. Pivot 70 is positioned at second end 54. Spike 120 is in communication with arm 130 via pivot 70. Head 60 is carried proximate first end 52 and is fixably attached to first end 132 of arm 130. Pivot 70 comprises a spring means 72 for permitting removal of spike 120 from within head 60. Fastening article 10 further comprises coating 80.

Coloration 20 of fastening article 10 is preferably achieved by applying coating 80 to shank 140, preferably via application of a colored enamel that may be subsequently baked to heat cure same. Coating 80 can also be applied by electroplating, by oxidizing, such as by anodization, by dipping into liquid colored plastic solutions or spraying with such solutions, or by application and curing of a powdered coating. It is also possible to fabricate fastening article 10 from colored plastic, wherein coloration 20 is carried throughout fastening article 10. Alternatively, such colored plastic may be applied as a thin layer over body 50, head 60 and pivot 70.

In operation, fastening article 10 is preferably utilized to secure or repair clothing 100 of wearer 110. Fastening article 10 is preferably opened by moving spike 120 from within head 60, wherein point 62 of spike 120 is preferably passed through clothing 100 to repair or augment the security of buttons 40 on clothing 100 of wearer 110. Thereafter, spike 120 is preferably returned and secured within head 60. Portion 30 of spike 120 ofof fastening article 10 preferably extends outward of clothing 100, but body 50, head 60, pivot 70 and arm 130 remain out of sight behind clothing 100. Spike 120 is concealed from the casual observer by the blending of coloration 20 of fastening article 10 with color 35 of clothing 100. Coloration 20 of fastening article 10 is preferably selected to blend with color 35 of clothing 110, thereby preferably preventing discernment of fastening article 10 when in use.

In an alternate use, fastening article 10 can be utilized to secure broken ends 207 and 209 of handle 205 of accessory 200. In such use, fastening article 10 is selected to match color 235 of accessory 200, thereby rendering fastening article 10 virtually invisible.

It is envisioned in an alternate embodiment of the present invention that fastening article 10 could comprise any type of clamping or pinning device, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a straight pin, a bobbie pin, a miniature jaw clamp, clasp or clip, or the like.

It is envisioned in a further alternate embodiment of the present invention that fastening article 10 and coating 80 could be integrally formed, such as, for exemplary purposes only, via molding.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A fastening article comprising: means for fastening; and a coating on said means for fastening, wherein said coating is adapted by coloration to match the color of an article of apparel.
 2. The fastening article of claim 1, wherein said means for fastening comprises a safety pin.
 3. The fastening article of claim 1, wherein said means for fastening and said coating are integrally formed.
 4. The fastening article of claim 3, wherein said means for fastening and said coating are comprised of plastic.
 5. The fastening article of claim 1, wherein said coating is selected from a group consisting of enamel, oxide, electroplate, liquid colored plastic solutions, electrostatically-applied cured powder, and combinations thereof.
 6. The fastening article of claim 5, wherein said liquid colored plastic solutions are applied via a coating method selected from the group consisting of dipping into melted plastic, spraying with melted plastic, and combinations thereof.
 7. The fastening article of claim 5, wherein said oxide is formed via anodization.
 8. The fastening article of claim 5, wherein said coating is cured.
 9. The fastening article of claim 8, wherein said coating is cured via heat application.
 10. A method of securing an article of apparel comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a securing device having a color adapted to match said article of apparel; and b. securing said article of apparel via said securing device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of securing further comprises the step of repairing said article of apparel.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said securing device further comprises a safety pin.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said securing device further comprises a coating thereon.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said coating is selected from a group consisting of enamel, oxide, electroplate, liquid colored plastic solutions, electrostatically-applied cured powder, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said oxide is formed via anodization.
 16. A method of fabricating a color-blending securing device comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a securing device; and b. applying a coating thereon, wherein said coating is adapted to match a color of an article of apparel.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of applying a coating comprises applying said coating via a method selected from a group consisting of painting, oxidizing, electroplating, spraying a plastic coating, dipping said securing device into a liquid plastic, electrostatically-applying a cured powder, and combinations thereof.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said oxidizing comprises anodizing.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein said coating is cured.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said coating is cured via heat application. 